A graffiti pest who repeatedly daubed his 'tag' on property across Bedfordshire has been ordered to pay £300 compensation to his victims.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted ten counts of criminal damage between September 2007 and January this year when he appeared before Bedford Youth Court last Wednesday (April 23).

The teenager, who asked for a further eight offences in the Thames Valley area to be taken into consideration, also received a four-month referral to a Youth Offending Team, following an investigation by Bedfordshire Police safer neighbourhood teams.

His undoing came when CCTV caught him writing his tag on steps at Bedford's Castle Mound on January 23 and the viewing shelter on January 30.

Following further enquiries, it was then established the same tag had been written in pen or spray paint on:

** A transit tour van at Woburn Sands Bandroom in Dene Close;
** A new homes advertising sign in Aspley Hill, Woburn Sands;
** Two wall notices at Woburn Town Hall in Leighton Street;
** The cricket pavilion in West Hill, Woburn;
** An EDF energy box in The Avenue, Aspley Guise;
** A boundary wall in Woburn Lane, Aspley Guise;
** A 'Welcome to Bedfordshire' sign on the A5130 near Woburn Sands;
** Windows and doors to the village hall, Woburn Lane, Woburn.

PC Sandra Elliott said: "This case demonstrates Bedfordshire Police safer neighbourhood teams will not tolerate criminal damage and will go to considerable lengths to find those responsible for it.

"Our message to young people is think before you go spraying or marking other people's property, because next time you could find us knocking at your door and heading towards the nearest court."

Anyone with information about criminal damage can contact police, in confidence, on 01234 841212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.